CHAPTER XXV
THE IRON RING
We wandered on, going from village to village, from town to town, fromcity to city, till we finally reached Calcutta. And here my life wasonce more changed.
It happened in this way.
We had been stopping a long time in this great city, where Moukounj wasalways able to find work for us both. The English language which he hadlearned in his youth was often of great advantage to him here.
We had been working for several days on the wharves, where we wereemployed in unloading vessels. The heaviest burthens were as nothing tome, and Moukounj was alert and insinuating, and so was able to render athousand little services to the travellers and also to the sailors. Hewas now earning a generous living for us; but alas! it only resulted inmore frequent and more furious fits of drunkenness for him--and for mein blows and humiliations.
It often happened that he went off to drink at the neighbouringtaverns, and left me alone to stand and await his return--he knew verywell that I would be faithful!
Now, one day we had been helping to unload the cargo of a largemerchantman, and Moukounj had left me a few vegetables to eat, andhad gone off to drink, when there came in, at the same wharf, a largeLiner, bringing a great many passengers. I was distressed that mymaster should miss a chance to gain so many rupees--but I felt itwould be useless to go in search of him. The wisest way would be towait patiently for his return, and that was what I did. Moukounj_might_ return in time--I could only hope he would not be drunk!
I watched the passengers as they disembarked. They were Europeans,mostly English, who ran about, here and there, asking questions of theporters, not making themselves understood, nor understanding what wassaid to them. The spectacle amused me greatly, and I watched themclosely, trying to imagine from their looks what each one would do....It was not long before I remarked among them a group of persons whosecalmness contrasted with the agitation of the others. They numberedsomething like twenty; there were about as many women as men; all wereyoung, and well dressed. It did not seem that the voyage had fatiguedthem; they stood together on the wharf, taking but little notice oftheir surroundings.
One of them now quietly reviewed the company, and, seeing that none ofthem were missing:
"We may as well-go to the Hotel," said he to his companions.
Then, addressing one of the young men, he said:
"Mr. Oldham, you will please remain here and see to the unloading ofour baggage."
"Yes, Mr. Hardwick, I will do so," replied he. Then all except Mr.Oldham went quietly off.
I looked curiously at this Mr. Oldham; he was a most singular youngman--tall and thin, with very long arms and legs, and enormous hands.His head was small, his mouth stretched from ear to ear, and hischeek-bones projected strangely. While waiting for the luggage tobe landed, Mr. Oldham strode up and down, seemingly impatient, andmurmuring something to himself which I did not understand.
I was in despair at Moukounj's absence. These strangers, thought I,must have a lot of baggage, perhaps very heavy, and if my master werehere we would get plenty to do.
While thinking about it I was playing mechanically with a great ring ofiron which lay at my feet. It had once been fastened into the ground,but it was no longer secure, and in playing I had unintentionallyloosened it. I was now amusing myself by tossing it up in the air, andcatching it on my trunk as it fell.
All at once the eyes of Mr. Oldham turned in my direction, and he beganto watch me closely. My play seemed to interest him, and he called oneof the workmen on the wharf, and inquired:
"Do you know who is the owner of that elephant?"
"Oh, yes," said the man, "it is a poor fellow who works here atunloading ships."
"He has got a very intelligent animal!"
That was all.
But Mr. Oldham continued to look at me; and as for myself, my vanitybeing awakened, I made a point of not missing a single ring, and Mr.Oldham gave vent to "Ohs!" and "Ahs!" of admiration, and murmured:
"'_The Elephant Juggler_'--That would look well on our play bills!"
They now began to bring ashore the luggage of Mr. Oldham and hisfriends.
There were enormous boxes and crates of strange shapes, bales of rope,stacks of poles, and many things scarcely covered at all, of which Icould not imagine the use. Then they brought up out of the ship greatchariots, cages of wild animals, and at last numbers of horses, whoseemed bewildered by the voyage.
Well, these are strange travellers, thought I--and they have strangeluggage! They loaded the boxes and bales onto the chariots, andharnessed to them the least fine-looking of the horses; a number ofmen, who seemed to be the servants of Mr. Oldham, took the horses bythe bridle, or mounted on the chariots, and all were moving off, whenMoukounj arrived!
He was not very drunk, and he went at once to Mr. Oldham to offer hisservices. It was too late.--But as he pointed towards me, Mr. Oldhamsaid to him:
"Ah! You are the owner of that intelligent beast? You had better cometo the Hotel Victoria, and ask for Mr. John Hardwick, Director of the_'Grand Circus of the Two Worlds'_--he may have something to say to youthat will be to your advantage."
And Mr. Oldham went off with the chariots and baggage.
At first Moukounj never thought of going to see Mr. John Hardwick.He could not understand what the Director of the "_Circus of the TwoWorlds_" could have to say to him. But fate ordained that for thenext two days we had almost no work, and were reduced to the verge ofstarvation. It was then that he remembered Mr. Oldham's invitation. Hethought that even if Mr. Hardwick had nothing of importance to propose,he might at least take pity on him, and give him a little something incharity.
So, having warned me--a useless precaution--to remain patiently whereI was, he set off for the Victoria Hotel.